Smart grid study for Bangladesh

Lahmeyer and Tractebel develop smart grid solutions. Tractebel experts are carrying out a feasibility study for a sustainable power supply system in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is modernising its national energy infrastructure and is looking to future-oriented solutions to do so. To meet changing market requirements, smart grid concepts are to be implemented in distribution networks. German Tractebel company Lahmeyer International in a consortium with Tractebel Romania is carrying out a feasibility study to help bring the benefits of smart grids to the people of rural areas. The project is being financed by the German development bank KfW as part of the "Modernisation of Power Distribution - Smart Grids" programme.

Commissioned by the West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (WZPDCL), a state-owned utility, the project is being worked on by a multi-disciplinary team of Tractebel experts. The goal is to increase the reliability and efficiency of the 33/11 kV distribution system through rehabilitation of substations and introduction of network automation. This will improve the reliability and reduce losses in the system.

Network analyses and simulations

The power transmission system is to be run on a largely automated basis in future and augmented by a distribution network management system (DMS). A SCADA system (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) will be used for the telecontrol of the substations in the WZPDCL distribution network. In addition, substations are to be rehabilitated, flexible local grid transformers installed and capacitor banks used for voltage stability.

At present the experts from Tractebel are working on data gathering, network simulations and downstream analyses. This work will help contribute towards more efficient use of electric power. The project represents the start of the transition of the transmission and distribution networks in Bangladesh into a national "smart grid".